The Smallest Knight

Surprise Friend

The mall's busier than regular: cars hogging parking spaces, horns honking, people running in and out of stores, long lines, crying impatient children, and people arguing. More reasons Neal despises the holiday, people acting crazy and rude to get the newest gift. He sits leg crossed insides Finn's coat pocket, he got a view of the outside part of the mall shortly before they entered. Lights, fake trees,signs, and people ringing bells-these were the many things surrounding the the entrance. Finn generously donated three dollars to a Santa Clause ringing a bell for the local children hospital. Neal recalled Molly mentioning people asking for donations were scammers, and Neal believed her false lies. They entered inside leaving behind the cold weather outside, Finn wipes off some snow off his shoulders edge. A sudden snow fall hit town today shortly after they left home. Finn pulls Neal from his coat pocket and sets the boy onto his shoulder. "Finn, that guy totally stole our money." Neal said getting comfortable. "Who? Oh Santa Clause wouldn't steal money." Finn scoffed, Neal ponders about Finn's thinking; does the giant believe Santa's real? Neal rather keep the answer unknown rather than giving a lecture about Santa's non-existence. "Correct, he wouldn't take our money big fella." Neal half smiled. "Where should we start? How about lunch?!" Finn started towards the foot court; Neal's not hungry though, he hates eating in public. No doubt lFinn won't allow his young brother go without eating. A bad habit Neal struggles, he doesn't mind eating but not a whole lot. Hardly ever eats seconds, or eat large amounts. Most likely the reasons Neal's skinny, he's smaller than most teenage human boys. "What sounds good? Chinese buffet, chicken sandwich, subs, pizza, pretzels?"Finn's wide happy eyes and giggling laughter outmatches any child. "Eh, whatever your getting." Neal said less enthusiastic about eating lunch. In fact, Neal's less enthusiastic about shopping today. "How about pizza, sound good?" The giant asked. "Sure, can we get some pretzels today too? They always look delicious." Neal slightly smiled. "Of course dude! Awww, look at the Santa Clause hats!" Finn cooed at a stores window, "We need them." Finn's pulled to the store. Neal reads the stores entrance saying: Alices Toy Store. "Me and my mom would visit the store a lot! Ever been to a Alice Toy Store?" Neal shook his head no making Finn's mouth opened shocked. "Unbelievable! Every kid should experience toy store! Even as a adult, Alice Toy Store's awesome are super fun! There stores are giant and human friendly, you'll see what I mean! Many giants take their kids here, and about time you shared a fun experience." Neal thinks Finn's simply overrated the store until they walk in. Inside, the stores bigger than expected: a staircase leading upstairs, several dozens of aisles, crowed with adults and humans, Christmas decorations everywhere, and the stores middle had a very tall, long, and large table where giants crowed around. The table holds small human buildings resembling a tiny Christmas town: there's building lined up against each other on two sides between a stone walk path, street lamps, and human children running around in and out of the buildings. Neal assumes the giant parents are those who crowd the table watching their human children. "Look how awesome this place is! See, here's a cute human town kids can run around and meet new people! Those buildings are actually stores, here I have some human sized cash incase you needed some! Stay at the area while I do some quick shopping, I got Juno in the Christmas exchange and here's the best place to shop for kids!" Finn pulled his wallet out and gave Neal thirty dollars. "You can't leave me alone!" Neal growled. "Yes I can, your thirteen years old.Try meeting other kids or buy yourself a gift." Finn pushed his way between people reaching the human area, Neal hears children scream and laugh happily louder when they get closer. "Do not leave me alone! Finn, I'm not joking! Ugh!" The giants fingers wrap around Neal's body, he frantically punches Finn's fingers and lets a out a angers snarl. "Finn Knight!" Neal yells placed down on the table. His big brother ignores Neal's complains and laughs; "FINN KNIGHT!" Neal shrieks as Finn wonders off. "FINN KNIGHT, COME BACK RIGHT NOW!" Finn disappeared leaving behind a annoyed and angered Neal. "Oh my God, mental note Neal: kill Finn tonight." He whispers rubbing the tip of his nose. Neal turns around facing the buildings, they are perfectly designed resembling old town designs and giving off the perfect Christmas feeling. There hardly any where to move without getting bumped by another kid, their running around without considering trampling anyone caught in their path. He's not sure where he should go, anywhere where there's much people. Crowds aren't his specialty, social anxiety has gotten better but Neal's not comfortable interacting among people. He walked down the stone path keeping his head hung low, Neal hates giants looming over the table are watching. The first building he looks at is blue stone, no bigger than a average normal house, and a window shop with a sign reading: Blue Ribbon Candy Shop. He stares through the window seeing there's hardly anyone inside, Neal enters the store greeted by the smell of candy. The candy shop has a large wooden barrel forming a forming a circle directly in the shops middle area. Within the barrel are several candy variety's, also there are shelves and shelves of candy items on each side of the store. A few other kids are there, but enough to annoy Neal. "Hello good sir, welcomes to Blue Ribbon Candy Shop! We're delighted having a another guest graciously enter our store." Neal turns around seeing a young man no older than 19, his hairs black and curly, he's wearing a bright blue shirt with black stripes, and dark navy wavy jeans. Neal swears he's met the man before, however he can't place the odd face. "Oh hello sir..." Neal's takes back by the odd mans outfit and speaking. "Sorry, our bosses makes act stupid whenever someone enters the shop." The man whispers softly adding a light chuckle at the end. "It's funny more than stupid." Neal laughs. "Nah, if my acts were funny people wouldn't send me annoyed glares or bolt out the store immediately." The man replied leaning against a shelf. "Well, it is weird, but I'm weird too so I'm not disturbed. Why would anyone make people act goofy anyways?" Neal asked. "Because our bosses hate us." The worker huffed. "I'm Darren-Darren Snow." Darren stuck his hand out. "Wait! Darren Snow?! Meg Snows little brother? Holy crap!" Neal gasped, another shock hit. He's met Darren before: months and months ago before Neal even left the human quarter. Neal and his mother Molly were at the airport, and Neal was having a hard time thinking about moving to the giant world. Darren was returning to the giant world after visiting the human quarters to view some college. At the same airport Darren  saw the kid looking upset and comforted Neal giving advice regarding living among giants. Neal learned Darren was adopted by a giant family at a young age when his own parents abandoned him. "Darren, not sure if you remember me. I'm Neal..." Before Neal has the chance of finish, Darrens eyes widen. "No way! Neal, never thought I see you outside the airport! And yes I'm Meg Snows sister! I haven't been lately since I started college a while ago! But Megs told me all about you, obviously she failed mentioning my name." Darren said. "Yeah, I knew she had a adopted human brother, but she doesn't talk much about you." Neal wonders what he said was rude. "She's jealous of my looks and artistic skills. Drawing and paintings my life's passion." Neal thinks art like skills must be a Snow family thing. "Neal, I am sorry about all that's happen to you lately. Meg told me about your mother, step dad, and just the terrible acts your mother did." Darren sincerely said placing a hand on Neal's shoulder. "Thanks Darren. Are you home for the holidays?" Neal change the topic. "Sure am, I work part time here even while attending college. A nice break from home and school." Darren said. "Ah, I imagine going being around humans more often is nice. Sometimes I find it so odd inside places like this. They are normal places, I have gotten use to being the smallest thing in the room. Especially having a giant brother around." Neal spoke out experience, he's happy someone else understands his feelings. "Dude I completely feel the same way. I have had a giant family sense I was very young! The giant world became normal and less weird. Than meeting other humans and talking to people my size felt weird. How's adjusting to giants going? Last time we talked, you were freaking out." Neal remember clearly, a long time ago Neal feared giants and hated Finn when first meeting. "I adjusted good, super scary at first! Finn almost ate me when we first met! I have nightmares about being inside Finns stinky mouth and him eating me! Though, I grown to love my new home. Finn's super caring and kind, he's been raising me sense my mom and step dad abandoned us." Neal thinks about his past struggles and how far he's overcame big life trials. "I remember Finn Knight, he's very kind, and he actually ate me ." Darren examined. "No way, how?!" Neal needed the story. "Years ago, Meg attend a soccer game far away from home, and my overprotective parents were out of town that weekend too. I was 16 at the time and my parents didn't like leaving me alone the entire weekend. Finn generously decided to watch me, I spent the night at his house and things were going good. Until, he brought a bowl filled with barbecue chips to the couch. Somehow I fell inside the bowl when he tipped it over. When Finn flipped the bowl back over, he grabbed a handful of chips with me between them. Before I got the chance to scream, he tossed me inside his mouth and sallowed!" Neal felt his stomach twist and turn, a nightmare he can't even imagine. "What happened?" Neal asked listing intensely. "Finn sallowed me, I remember everything going dark and a gross smell. I blacked out and maybe a hour late I woke up on the couch with Finn looking horrifying! The big goof realized he ate me and the spit me back up after one minute." Neal lost his appetite, he's sure Darren would never get over the traumatic event. "Ewww." Neal gagged. "Tell me about it! That was traumatic!" Darren shuttered at the memory. "NEAL KNIGHT! PLEASE RETURN TO THE PICK UP CENTER-YOUR BROTHER IS HERE FOR YOU!" A loud intercom shouted shaking the room. "I should go Darren. Finn's gonna freak out if I take too long." Neal said. "I understand, see you around Neal." Darren smiled. "See ya!" Neal waves goodbye and left the store. Outside he saw Finn waiting, the giant picked Neal up and walked outside the store. "Finn! Guess what?!" Neal yelled with a big smile. "Yes Neal?" Finn said. "I saw Megs brother!" Neal told him. "What? That's cool, haven't seen Darren in years!" The giants said. "He told me about the time you ate him." Finn's cheeks turned red, a story he hoped Neal would never hear about. "I...well...try...God I'm still embarrassed!" Finn groaned. "It's okay Finn. Nice knowing you have a habit eating humans." Neal giggles. "Shut up squirt! We have shopping to do!" Finn announces. With that they spent rest of the day shopping, eating lunch, laughing and having the best time. At the end of the day they bought a tree for their apartment, during the trip back home Neal had fallen asleep. Finn was happy Neal was spending Christmas with the Knight family, the older brother loved having Neal and wouldn't change their friendship for anything.